Rare And Picture-Heavy Post

I know, I know...it's Friday.  And I don't usually post on Friday, having given myself permission to take a day off on a weekly basis.  I kind of run out of things to say by Friday and I'm usually all tuckered out by then.  You deserve better than a tired, brain dead Sheepie.

But, as this has been a school vacation week, I'm a little more perky.  So, I'm posting.  With great perk.

About a million years ago, Bells (one of my favorite "other side of the planet" type bloggers) shared some pictures she'd taken on a stroll about the neighborhood and suggested that others consider doing the same.  After all, she pointed out, what is a daily view for you might not be for others.  I thought that was a brilliant idea and planned to head out to share the view from my perspective as soon as possible.

But, I never did.  Other stuff came up.  That, or I was fully engaged in my Summer Of Driving Amongst The Tourists Fueled Rage and couldn't face going out there to take pictures.  It was one of those things...

Today, though, I remembered this mission and thought that winter pix of my little corner of the world might be interesting.  I live in a resort town, one that has no pretensions towards glamour.  We cater to the family vacationing on a budget.  Every few years, someone gets the bright idea to try and fancy the place up a bit.  But it never really works out.  We are what we are: a place on the beach where you can get fries, cheap t-shirts and a sunburn.  And that's not such a bad thing to be, really.

In winter, the whole place gets pretty quiet and has its own sort of beauty, especially on a day like today with a storm getting ready to commence.  The parking is better, too.  You can't get cotton candy.  That's something of a drawback.  But, it is still a pretty unique place to call home.  So, for your viewing pleasure, I give you a tour of the sights a couple of miles from my house.  You will have to imagine the below-freezing temperatures.  There is little I will not do for you.  I'll even risk getting a chill.  I'm a giver.

Looking towards the ocean, you can see the gulls at play:

Hi, gulls!!

Turn around and you can see a place for the people to play:

Finding a seat is a little tricky this time of year, though...

"The Pier" is something of a local landmark.  However, this one is not the pier of my childhood.  That was destroyed during a particularly nasty storm back in 1978.  A new one was built in 1980.

See?

All new 'n shiny!!!

In my town, they raise the Jolly Roger: 

Doesn't yours?

The rides are all locked up and patiently waiting for a new round of visitors seeking a thrill:

"Euro Slide?"  Best not to ask...

This one drew me in for some reason.

Driving School

The best part of being on vacation is allowing yourself to be someone else for a little while:

...maybe even someone who sports a tattoo.

And, of course, there is the food.  What's a beach vacation without some of that deep fried goodness from the sea?

And fried dough.  Not from the sea, but pretty darned good!

This one is handily located next to the arcade just in case the kids have had a little too much sun 'n sugar.  A few quarters can buy a lot of peace for Mom and Dad.

 I stepped over the railroad tracks on the way back to my nice, warm truck.  Seconds later, the warning bells went off.  The train was a-comin'!

So I risked potential frostbite and waited in order that I might snap one last picture.  Like I said...I'm a giver.

I do hope you enjoyed our walk through the beach-side area of my little town during its hibernation period.  In a few short months, it will look very different.  The rides, shops and concessions will all be unchained, dusted off and opened up to the vacationing public.  Things are very cool-looking in that condition, too.  Just in a different sort of way.  Now, let's all go get a nice cup of cocoa, warm up just a bit and enjoy the snows that have begun to fall.  Tomorrow, when my fingers thaw out, I may even be able to resume regular knitting-type blogging.

Unless, of course, I am still trying to figure out what the condo association wants me to do about parking my truck during snow removal.  I have yet to work out that particular issue.

Maybe I just should have left it down at the pier...

SA